The man, the boy, and the waylight

On a hard day, when tears could fill oceans, we find a man and a boy. The man had lived a good life. It was filled with wonderful experiences and tragic hardships. The man had learned many things. And in his age, grew selfish and bitter. "This is it," he said, "Nothing more. So ends the journey. Thus, I perish." Surrounded by loved ones, the man fell still.
Then, there was a boy. His life was brief and hard. He didn't have many friends to help him. His family was poor. He often struggled with his health. But of all the things he didn't have, he was full of love and hope. His mother and father stayed by his side. The boy said, "I'm scared." And his father said, "No matter where, no matter how, we'll be near. We'll always find you and hold you close. Just keep looking." The boy smiled and fell still.
As the day closed for the man, no sound did he hear. he wasn't listening. No sights could he see, he wouldn't look. He had given up, there was no more. Before him, a parade walked by. White lights glistened through the shadow. Men and women passed before him. Some called, some pleaded, but still the man was unmoved. Soon, the lights faded. Then, the man was left alone. When the darkness swept over him, no more could he be seen.
As the day closed for the boy, he was tired. He saw the vast and sweeping plain. He heard the deep and distant groans. And he was scared. Before him, a parade passed by. White lights glistened through the shadow. Men and women passed before him. Some called, some pleaded, and the boy was stirred. When he rushed over, he saw men and women who were scared, just like him. But the lights guided them through the plains. And when the darkness came, it could not penetrate the light.
As the parade marched, they found a great citadel. Therein was a multitude of people who gathered together. Some were happy, some were sad, but all were safe.
The boy searched for years for his mother and father. He marched with the parade. Many of those people searched for loved ones who sat cold in the evening of their lives. Each day, the boy grew cold. He wondered if he would ever see his parents again. One fateful parade, he found them. He came to them and pleaded with them to listen. His mother stirred and opened her eyes. She embraced her son. The bpy turned to his father. He didn't look the same. His form was slender and vague. The boy pleaded with his father, but the father wasn't listening. The boy waved to his father, but his father wasn't looking. Finally, the boy remembered, "No matter where, no matter how, we'll be near. We'll always find you and hold you close. Just start looking." The father quaked, his figure turned. He raced to the boy and said, "I'd forgotten those words. Thank you for finding me." And they were happy together at last.